Washington State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (WomenSpirit Coalition) advocates for and promotes policy on behalf of member Tribal programs to ensure that 1) Tribes are receiving equal access to funding streams to establish and maintain services to increase the safety of Native women victimized by crimes under the Violence Against Women Act, 2) that applications are “culturally relevant” and appropriate for Tribes, 3) that relevant Technical Assistance is offered to ensure successful implementation, 4) that set aside funding for Tribes is sufficient for meeting needs in Tribal communities, and 5) that Tribal communities have the opportunity to decide/give input into the funding processes and distribution of funds.
WomenSpirit Coalition seeks parallel development for Tribes/Tribal programs in the work of preventing and eliminating domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking. This includes developing:
- Standard setting policy and practice for Tribal service delivery models;
- To ensure Tribal programs have equal access to skill development and leadership development opportunities; and
- That Tribal programs are being given the response and consideration they are entitled to as Sovereign Nations.
WomenSpirit Coalition provides culturally specific Technical Assistance to Tribes/Tribal programs in the work of preventing and eliminating domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking. Tribal coalitions are the experts in providing culturally specific Technical Assistance to Tribes/Tribal Programs on issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking. Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions are authorized in the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) to build the capacity of survivors, advocates, Indian women’s organizations, and victim service providers to form nonprofit, nongovernmental Tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions to end violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women. WomenSpirit achieves this by 1) increasing awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault against American Indian and Alaska Native women, 2) enhancing the response to violence against women at the Tribal, federal, and state levels, 3) identifying and providing Technical Assistance to coalition membership and tribal communities to enhance access to essential services, and 4) assisting Indian Tribes in developing and promoting legislation and policies that enhance best practices for responding to violent crimes against Indian women including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking.
To ensure meaningful government to government consultation with Tribes, WomenSpirit Coalition may 1) develop public policy statements that reflect the needs and desires of Tribes and Tribal programs, and 2) act as an organized “voice” on their behalf. When asked to do so, we can represent Tribes at Tribal Consultations, and 3) ensure that Tribes have access to vital information in order to give testimony during consultation, and 4) advocate at local, state, federal and international levels for resource parity.
WomenSpirit Coalition provides standard setting policy and practice in regard to service delivery and leadership development. We provide training (in all aspects of Tribal life and systems) that impacts victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking. This will include the training and consultation to the following Tribal departments:
- Social services
- Criminal justice
- Medical and health
- Indian child welfare
- Tribal court systems
- Tribal government
- Tribal community
- Tribal DV/SA programs.
WomenSpirit Coalition provides assessment and evaluation of Tribes/Tribal programs relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking which includes service delivery; Tribal code development or revision; curriculum; Tribal training model development; Tribal service model research; and Tribal resource development, i.e. organizing task forces, advisory committees and ad hoc groups.
- WomenSpirit is the Subject Matter Expert on matters related to ending violence against AI/AN women and their families.
- WomenSpirit Coalition convenes meetings such as Regional Networking and our Statewide Law and Justice Advisory Committee.
- WomenSpirit Coalition develops and provides webinars on current topical issues, including emerging federal law and policies, and needs of Tribes and Tribal programs.
- WomenSpirit Coalition provides consultation on Tribal resource building, with local, state, and federal agencies.
For training or speaker requests, please submit a Training Request Form.